Interlocked sash construction



Dec. 10, 1963 w. o. JOHNSON 3,113,354

INTERLOCKED SASH CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 12, 1960 IN VEN TOR.

Z WALDO O. JOHNSON ATTYS United States Patent Uhi Filed Aug. 12, 196%),er. No. 49,199 4 Claims. (Cl. 2tl56) The present invention relates to anovel window sash construction or assembly and especially to a novel andimproved window sash having an improved interlocked corner constructionand where the window sash is made from metal sash rails of extrudedshape in section.

l-leretofore there have been various types of window sash constructionsproposed where the sash is made from metal sash rails. In all of suchdifferent window sashes, it always has been a problem to form the sashesof a sturdy, rigid construction and where the sash components can beconveniently and readily asembled with a minimum amount of assembly timeand labor but yet with the provision or a desired sturdy, rigid windowsash unit.

The general object of the present invention is to provide an improvedwindow sash construction characterized by the provision of readilyinterlocked corners in the window sash.

Another object of the invention is to provide a window sash made from aplurality of extruded metal shapes and where special slots are formed inthe legs of one pair of opposed sash members and with the other opposedpair of sash members having recesses provided in the ends thereofwhereby an interlocked engagement can be formed between the slotted endson one pair of sash members with the recessed parts on the other pair ofsash members.

Another object of the invention is to provide top and bottom rails in awindow sash that are thicker than the side sash rails whereby the sidesash rails can be slid into engagement with the top and bottom rails andhave slotted portions provided in the side sash rails for engaging edgeflanges formed on the top and bottom rails but with the edge flangesterminating spaced from the ends of the top and bottom rails.

Further objects of the invention are to form a win dow sash assemblyfrom a plurality of extruded metal shapes having a minimum of machiningor shaping operations provided thereon but by which interlocked cornerunits can be formed in the window sash, to form a window sash thecomponents of which can be conveniently and relatively assembled to forma sturdy, improved window sash unit, to abut side sash rails in a windowsash against inner base sections of top and bottom rails in the windowsash for forming a rigid inter locked sash unit, and to retain thewindow sash components together by a window pane and a plastic sealingstrip for the window pane that frictionally engages the sash components.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will bemade more apparent as the specification proceeds.

Attention now is particularly directed to the accompanying drawingswherein one currently preferred embodiment of the principles of theinvention is shown, and wherein:

PEG. 1 is an elevation of a pair of window sashes of the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are enlarged sections taken on lines 2-2 and 3-3 of FIG.1, respectively;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a side sash rail and bottom sash meetingrail of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan of the bottom sash meeting rail of the sash unit ofthe invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged section of the interlocked lower corner of thesash of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a vertical section taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 1 with the windowpane and securing strip removed;

FIG. 8 is an exploded elevation of the rails of the cornot shown in FIG.6; and

FIG. 9 is a top plan of the bottom rail of the lower sash.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawings andreferred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used tofacilitate comparison therebetween.

Generally speaking, the present invention relates to a window sashcomprising a pair of side sash rails which may be of generally H-shapedin horizontal section to loan base sections in the rails with pairs ofparallel inner legs and outer legs extending therefrom, a meeting railusually of generally U-shape in vertical section, and a bottom rail ofgenerally U-shape in vertical section. The meeting rail and bottom railare thicker than the side sash rails and include base sections and pairsof parallel legs with inwardly extending edge flanges thereon extendingfrom the base sections, the edge flanges being omitted, or removed, atthe ends of the said meeting and bottom rails, and the side rails,meeting rail and bottom rail have interlocking corner connections formedtherebetween by slotting the inner legs and positioning the side sashrails within the meeting and bottom rails to engage the slots with theedge flanges.

With particular reference now to the details of the structure shown inthe drawings, window sashes of the invention are indicated as a whole bythe numerals 1 and la. The sash l is made from a pair of side rails 2and 3, which, as best shown in FIG. 2, comprise members which may be ofsubstantially H-shape in horizontal section to form base sections 4 inthe side rails with pairs of parallel inwardly extending legs 5 and 6thereon and with pairs of parallel legs 7, 8 extending in the oppositedirection from the base sections 4. The sash as shown also includes,along the top, a meeting rail 9 which has a base section it? providedtherein with a pair of parallel legs 11 and 12 extending inwardly of thesash from such base section lit. The meeting rail 9 also has a laterallyprojecting sash meeting flange 13 provided thereon for engaging asimilar flange provided on the upper sash la normally associated withthe sash l for forming a pair of slidably associated or double hungsashes, as used in most window assemblies. The parallel legs ll and 12also each have formed integrally therewith one of a pair of inwardlyextending edge flanges l4 and 15, as best shown in FIG. 3.

Usually a bottom rail 16 in the sash l is of similar construction to themeeting rail 9 and has a base section 17 formed therein with a pair ofparallel legs 18 and 19 extending therefrom. These legs 18 and 19 alsohave edge flanges 2t? and 21 formed thereon in opposed relationship toeach other and extending inwardly of the bottom rail 16 towards eachother for a purpose to be hereinafter described in more detail.

In order to obtain the desired interlocked corner construction by use ofthe sash rail means of the invention, in this instance, a pair ofparallel slots 22 and 23 are formed in the inner legs 6 and 5 of each ofthe side rails 2 and 3 adjacent each end thereof. Normally these slots22 and 23 extend the length of such inner legs 6 and 5 down to the basesections 4 formed in the side rails. Provision is made for receiving theslots 22 and 23 and the side rails in interlocking engagement with themeeting rail and bottom rail by removing, in some suitable manner as bymilling, the edge flanges 14 and 15 and 20 and 21 and part of the basesprovided on the meeting rail 9 and bottom rail 16, respectively, at eachend of such rails. FIGS. 5 and 9 of the drawings best show how recesses24 and 25 are formed in each end of the meeting rail and bottom rail 16,respectively, and with such recesses 24 and 25 extending axially of therespective rails a distance equal to the combined depth of the basesections 4- f the side rails plus the length of the outer legs 7 and 8of the side rails. Of course, the meeting rails and the top or bottomrails can be made in other manners and have the recesses 24 and 25 ofthe base sections and edge flanges provided therein in any suitablemanner. Likewise, the slots 22 and 23 formed the side rails arepositioned at a distance axially of the rails equal to the distance ofthe edge flanges l4 and 15', and 2t) and 21 from the base sectionsformed in the meeting rails and bottom rails of the sash of theinvention. The slots 22 and 23 are at least of the size of the verticallength of the edge flanges 14 and 15, and 2t) and 21, so that the slots22 and 23 can he slid or telescoped into engagement with the edgeflanges at the ends of the meeting rail and bottom rail 16. At the sametime, the ends of the side rails 2 and 3 can be and are abutted againstthe base sections it) and 17 on the rails 9 and lid to further reenforcethe interlocked corner engagement provided.

The window sash ll of the invention is completed as a further feature ofthe invention by positioning a window pane 26 in the center portion ofthe window sash, and this can be done by use of conventional means, suchas a plastic strip 2'7 of generally U-shape in section. The plasticstrip 27 is positioned around the edges of the window pane 2-6 andsnugly or frictionally engages the inner legs and 6 on the side railsand also engages the flanges on the legs 11 and 12 and it; and 19provided, respectively, on the meeting rail 9 and bottom rail l6,whereby a rigid, readily assembled window sash l is provided and it hasa window pane positioned therein. The window sash components are thusheld in assembled relation by the plastic strip 27 and window pane 26.

From the foregoing, it is believed that a novel and improved type of aWindow unit has been provided and with the window sash of the inventionbeing formed from extruded metal shapes having a minimum of specialforming actions provided thereon. However, the window sash is ofexcellent physical properties and will give a long service life in use.

It will be realized that the window sashs l and lot can be received inany desired type of window frame means for providing a so-called stormwindow sash for homes and other buildings.

The sashes may be assembled by engaging the meeting rail 9 and bottomrail 16 with a sealing strip 27 and a window pane 26. Next, the pair ofopposed side rails would be telescoped or slid into engagement with thewindow pane 26 and ends of the rails 9 and 16 to provide the desiredsturdy assembly.

The outer legs 7 and 8 formed in the side rails may have a suitablerunner or guide means carried thereby, if desired, whereas the basesection of the bottom rail 16, may likewise have any desired sealingstrip, or other member carried thereby.

Obviously the sash 1 can be made for use as an upper sash 1a, as well asa lower sash in any desired window assembly. Thus in such instance themeeting rail would be at the lower margin of the window sash and withthe bottom rail 16 then being of very similar design and forming theupper rail in the window sash. Hence, the terms upper meeting rail andbottom rail are used only in a relative sense and are not limiting.Likewise, the expression thickness, or the like, when referring to therails in the sash is taken as the inner-to-outer measurement of the sashrail. Thickness hence, unless otherwise specified, is measured normal tothe plane defined by the sash 1.

In view of the above, it is believed that the objects of the inventionhave been achieved.

,ese

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosedherein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particularembodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing fromthe scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a window sash, a pair of side sash rails of generally H-shape inhorizontal section to form base sections with pairs of parallel innerlegs and outer legs extending therefrom, a meeting rail of generallyU-shape in vertical section and having a laterally protruding sashmeeting flange thereon, and a bottom rail of generally U-shape invertical section, said meeting rail and bottom rail including basesections and pairs of parallel legs, with inwardly extending edgeflanges thereon, extending from said base sections, the said parallelinner legs of said side sash rails being horizontally slotted for thelength thereof adjacent each end of said side sash rails at a distancetherefrom equal to tha of said edge flanges from said base sections ofsaid meeting and bottom rails and for the vertical length of said edgeflanges, said edge flanges terminating at each end of said meeting railand bottom rail at a distance spaced therefrom equal to the combineddepth of one of said side rail base sections and the length of saidouter legs on said side rails whereby said side rail slots can he slidinto engagement with said edge flanges of said meeting and bottom railsby movement of said side rails parallel to the longitudinal axes of saidmeeting and bottom rails, and the ends of said side rails abut on thesaid base sections of said meeting and bottom rails to form solidcorners in the window sash.

2. In a window sash, a pair of sash rails of generally H-shape insection to form base sections with pairs of parallel laterally inwardlyextending legs and laterally outwardly extending outer legs thereon, ameeting rail of generally U-shape in section, and a fourth rail ofgenerally U-shape in section, said meeting rail and fourth rail beingthicker than said side sash rails and including base sections and pairsof parallel legs, with opposed edge flanges thereon, extending from saidbase sections, said edge flanges terminating at a point spaced from theends 7 of said meeting and fourth rails, a window pane received in saidinwardly extending legs and parallel legs to fill the center of thewindow sash, and a sealing member aiding in securing said window pane tosaid rails, said sash rails having slots formed in said inwardlyextending legs and extending the length thereof spaced a distance fromthe ends of said sash rails equal to the length of said parallel legs ofsaid meeting and fourth rails and being of a size to receive said edgeflanges, said slots being normal to the longitudinal axis of said sashrails, said side rails, meeting rail and fourth rail having interlockingcorners formed therebetween by positioning said side sash rails withinsaid meeting and fourth rails to engage said slots with said edgeflanges, the ends of said sash rails abutting against said base sectionsof said meeting and fourth rails to reenforce the interlocking corners.

3. In a window sash, a pair of equal size sash rails of generallyH-shape in section to form base sections with pairs of parallel innerlegs and outer legs extending therefrom, a meeting rail of generallyU-shape in section, and a fourth rail of generally U-shape in section,said meeting rail and fourth rail being thicker than said side sashrails and including base sections and pairs of parallel legs, withinwardly extending edge flanges thereon, extending from said basesections, said edge flanges terminating at a point spaced from the endsof said meeting and fourth rails a distance equal to the thickness ofsaid sash rail base sections measured in the plane of the sash plus thelength of said outer legs of said sash rails, a window pane received insaid inner legs and parallel legs to fill the center of the window sash,and a sealing member securing said window pane to said rails to aid insecuring said rails together to form the window sash, said sash railshaving rectangular slots formed in said inner legs and extending thelength thereof spaced a distance from the ends thereof equal to thelength of said parallel legs of said meeting and fourth rails and beingof a size to receive said edge flanges snugly, said side rails, meetingrails and fourth rail having interlocking corners formed therebetween bypositioning said side sash rails Within said meeting and fourth rails toengage said slots with said edge flanges, the ends of said sash railsabutting against said base sections of said meeting and fourth rails toreenforce the interlockin corners, said sash rails being engageable Withsaid meeting and fourth rails by movement parallel to the longitudinalaxis of said meeting and fourth rails when said sash rails arepositioned adjacent said meeting and fourth rails for engagementtherewith.

4. In a Window sash, a pair of identical side sash rails of generallyH-shape in section to form base sections with pairs of parallel innerlegs and outer legs extending therefrom, a meeting rail of generallyU-shape in section and having a protruding sash meeting flange thereon,and a fourth rail of generally U-shape in section, said meeting rail andfourth rail including base sections and pairs of parallel legs, withinwardly extending edge flanges thereon, extending from said basesections, said edge flanges terminating at a point spaced from the endsof said meeting and fourth rails, a window member received in said innerlegs and parallel legs to fill the center of the window sash, and asealing member aiding in securing said window member to said rails, saidwindow and sealing members securing said rails together, said sash railsbeing thinner than said meeting and fourth rails said sash rails havingslots formed in said inner legs and extending the length thereof normalto the longitudinal axis of said sash rail spaced a distance from theends thereof equal to the length of said parallel legs of said meetingand fourth rails and being of a size to receive said edge flanges, saidside rails, meeting rail and fourth rail having interlocking cornersformed therebetween by positioning said side sash rails within saidmeeting and fourth rails to engage said slots with said edge flanges,the ends of said sash rails abutting against said base sections of saidmeeting and fourth rails to reenforce the interlocking corners wherebysaid sash rails can only be separated from said meeting and fourth railsby movement parallel to the longitudinal axes of said meeting and fourthrails.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,116,584 Shelby May 10, 1938 2,640,567 Pressnall June 2, 1953 2,835,934Franzblau et al May 27, 1958 2,853,748 Kessler Sept. 30, 1958 FOREIGNPATENTS 410,582 Great Britain May 24, 1934

1. IN A WINDOW SASH, A PAIR OF SIDE SASH RAILS OF GENERALLY H-SHAPED INHORIZONTAL SECTION TO FORM BASE SECTIONS WITH PAIRS OF PARALLEL INNERLEGS AND OUTER LEGS EXTENDING THEREFROM, A MEETING RAIL OF GENERALLYU-SHAPED IN VERTICAL SECTION AND HAVING A LATERALLY PROTRUDING SASHMEETING FLANGE THEREON, AND A BOTTOM RAIL OF GENERALLY U-SHAPED INVERTICAL SECTION, SAID MEETING RAIL AND BOTTOM RAIL INCLUDING BASESECTIONS AND PAIRS OF PARALLEL LEGS, WITH INWARDLY EXTENDING EDGEFLANGES THEREON, EXTENDING FROM SAID BASE SECTIONS, THE SAID PARALLELINNER LEGS OF SAID SIDE SASH RAILS BEING HORIZONTALLY SLOTTED FOR THELENGTH THEREOF ADJACENT EACH END OF SAID SIDE SASH RAILS AT A DISTANCETHEREFROM EQUAL TO THAT OF SAID EDGE FLANGES FROM SAID BASE SECTIONS OFSAID MEETING AND BOTTOM RAILS AND FOR THE VERTICAL LENGTH OF SAID EDGEFLANGES, SAID EDGE FLANGES TERMINATING AT EACH END OF SAID MEETING RAILAND BOTTOM RAIL AT A DISTANCE SPACED THEREFROM EQUAL TO THE COMBINEDDEPTH OF ONE OF SAID SIDE RAIL BASE SECTIONS AND THE LENGTH OF SAIDOUTER LEGS ON SAID SIDE RAILS WHEREBY SAID SIDE RAIL SLOTS CAN BE SLIDINTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID EDGE FLANGES OF SAID MEETING AND BOTTOM RAILSBY MOVEMENT OF SAID SIDE RAILS PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXES OF SAIDMEETING AND BOTTOM RAILS, AND THE ENDS OF SAID SIDE RAILS ABUT ON THESAID BASE SECTIONS OF SAID MEETING AND BOTTOM RAILS TO FORM SOLIDCORNERS IN THE WINDOW SASH.